I'm hesitant to post any TRs anymore after some of the recent ones Yaller has posted. Makes me ashamed to post my word vomit.
My buddy and I decided to play hooky yesterday and brave the low waters up high. We got to the parking area and only saw one vehicle, which was covered in morning dew, meaning they were campers and likely not fishing. Our goal was to cover as much ground as possible, hoping for a wild slam, which has been a goal of mine for a while now. I wasn't sure there were browns in this river, but I knew it's tributaries held them, so I was hopeful.
With it starting off in the low 50s, but projected to reach high 60s, I decided to wet wade. It was probably the coolest temp I've wet waded in, but I never felt cold and will continue the practice in colder weather in the future. I know I was sure glad I did when we had to hoof it out.
We probably should have hiked in a bit farther before fishing, but we decided to hit the water pretty quickly. I put in at the first hole around 9:30 and hooked up on this guy, the first of many this size.
(https://i.imgur.com/LwgwtaS.jpg?2)
My buddy moved on up several holes above me, and I fished up until I reached his put in, then got out to move ahead of him, catching another small bow on the way.
(https://i.imgur.com/zwCwor5.jpg?2)
(https://i.imgur.com/qC2ToDS.jpg?2)
When I caught up to him, he was at the base of a decent sized waterfall. I asked him how his luck had been, and he told me he'd caught a small brookie. When I scoffed in unbelief, I asked for proof. He provided this picture:
(https://i.imgur.com/msiryHU.jpg?2)
I informed him he had actually caught his first wild brown, which confirmed to me that I could, in fact, catch a wild slam here.
I moved up to a nice shaded pool at the top of the falls and threw in a few times. On my third drift, I had a hard take on my dry. I could tell it was a decent fish, and when I tried to strip it in, my line wouldn't come in. Somehow it had gotten wrapped around the rod tip. Instead of untangling it, I kept the rod up and starting pulling in line hand over fist as best I could. I lost tension at one point and thought I lost it, but alas I managed to get this fella in.
(https://i.imgur.com/B6fjFoF.jpg?2)
I was really proud of that one, considering the river size and the hole he was in.
We continued to leap frog one another, moving upstream. I continued to catch a few small bows and finally hooked my own little brown, moving me closer to our goal.
(https://i.imgur.com/NWGtVYG.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/7UjreRw.jpg?2)
When I sat down for lunch, I couldn't help but take in how wonderful the day was. The leaves were starting to change and fall, a nice breeze kept it crisp and cool along with some slight cloud cover. It actually felt like my favorite part of the year had arrived.
(https://i.imgur.com/hMs2s6v.jpg?2)
(https://i.imgur.com/U8MLytl.jpg?2)
(https://i.imgur.com/U5Geo2P.jpg?2)
(https://i.imgur.com/rrMoGmL.jpg?2)
We continued to move upstream, hooking mostly rainbows on dries and a few more small browns on the droppers.
(https://i.imgur.com/EYfPJrH.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/tPtpw7u.jpg?2)
(https://i.imgur.com/Y6CWSlg.jpg?2)
I caught this buttery beauty at the top of the above run. It slammed my fly, coming completely out of the water. It jumped again before I got it in.
(https://i.imgur.com/IvXzIuK.jpg?2)
Moving on up and getting closer to walk out time, things were looking a little more brookie-ish, but the fish had slowed down.
(https://i.imgur.com/uzgRQdz.jpg?2)
(https://i.imgur.com/KYEHLWb.jpg?2)
I reached one final hole and decided it was time to turn back after fishing it, hoping to see some beautiful blue spots and orange bellies. On the first cast, something took the dropper. Sadly, the slam was not to be yesterday, but now I know it's possible and will return to accomplish it one day.
(https://i.imgur.com/tGXyzC8.jpg?2)
That feeling you got when you wrangled that larger rainbow in -- it's a good feeling. Most folks don't fathom the elation afforded a fisherman when a fine fish like that is pulled from a small flow of water. Personally, most of my more prized trophy fish weren't any larger than maybe 14". Fooling them, and dragging them from the depths of a 10-20' wide stream in the remoteness of the wilderness is the magic.
Good report, nice fish, and great pics! Thanks! It's a beautiful time of year to be out in the water.
Nice report about some really good fishing. I wish that our streams had 1/2 that much water in them. looks like a tuff as hell place to fish. All those big uneven rocks make my back hurt just looking at them :o
Thanks for sharing
JT
Quote from: Stone-Man on October 12, 2019, 14:20:40 PMAll those big uneven rocks make my back hurt just looking at them :o
That reminds me; I busted it on one of those rocks. I had already stepped forward with my right leg and my left one was behind me and started slipping on a super smooth rock. I managed to pick my foot up and reset it before going down, but I only managed to put it back on the same rock.
Tossed my rod in front of me so I wouldn't fall on it and caught myself somewhat with my hands. Thankfully nothing broke in my sling pack or on my body.
Sweet. Nice to have the cooler weather!
Still some decent water for conditions we've had.
Unrelated note. Did you see Dan Tope's Lucky Seven drop?
Quote from: Dee-Vo on October 11, 2019, 15:30:16 PMThat feeling you got when you wrangled that larger rainbow in -- it's a good feeling. Most folks don't fathom the elation afforded a fisherman when a fine fish like that is pulled from a small flow of water. Personally, most of my more prized trophy fish weren't any larger than maybe 14". Fooling them, and dragging them from the depths of a 10-20' wide stream in the remoteness of the wilderness is the magic.
Truth. My coworkers are always asking me where the pictures of the big fish are. They don't understand the feeling you get when you fool a nice quality fish out of a small wild stream in the middle of nowhere. I've tried to explain it, but I don't know that there are words to convey the feeling to someone who hasn't experienced it firsthand.
Quote from: Big J on October 14, 2019, 07:53:15 AMUnrelated note. Did you see Dan Tope's Lucky Seven drop?
I didn't, but I see now that DLT still has a good bit of them. I've been toting a Carother's FK2 recently. I've been really happy with it. I sold my Dark Timber 1911, which I used to carry when outdoors.
Quote from: hcrum87hc on October 14, 2019, 09:02:46 AMQuote from: Big J on October 14, 2019, 07:53:15 AMUnrelated note. Did you see Dan Tope's Lucky Seven drop?
I didn't, but I see now that DLT still has a good bit of them. I've been toting a Carother's FK2 recently. I've been really happy with it. I sold my Dark Timber 1911, which I used to carry when outdoors.
That DT 1911 was a big blade for hiking. I really like the 3-3.5" knifes for fishing. Those Lucky Seven's have a 3.47" blade and a 7" length. Think it'll make a good lightweight fishing knife and in 3V, Lord knows it'll take some abuse.
See that FK2 is in 3V also. Good carbon steel. My Bushcrafter 2 is in it and it performs well. Good carbon steel for being around water considering it's probably one of the most rust resistant carbon steels on the market.
Jelly. I won't even try our small streams.
My regular slam stream is November? ready. 'c;
Quote from: Dougfish on October 14, 2019, 18:37:51 PMJelly. I won't even try our small streams.
My regular slam stream is November? ready. 'c;
Doug, you may remember fishing the stream in this report on MUCH higher water before.
Quote from: The Dude on October 15, 2019, 06:30:46 AMQuote from: Dougfish on October 14, 2019, 18:37:51 PMJelly. I won't even try our small streams.
My regular slam stream is November? ready. 'c;
Doug, you may remember fishing the stream in this report on MUCH higher water before.
There's some great water farther up. The tribs especially.
Quote from: The Dude on October 15, 2019, 06:30:46 AMDoug, you may remember fishing the stream in this report on MUCH higher water before.
Oh, THAT stream. Jeebus.
Quote from: Dougfish on October 15, 2019, 07:57:59 AMQuote from: The Dude on October 15, 2019, 06:30:46 AMDoug, you may remember fishing the stream in this report on MUCH higher water before.
Oh, THAT stream. Jeebus.
"Doug's Nemesis Stream"
Quote from: The Dude on October 15, 2019, 08:02:34 AMQuote from: Dougfish on October 15, 2019, 07:57:59 AMQuote from: The Dude on October 15, 2019, 06:30:46 AMDoug, you may remember fishing the stream in this report on MUCH higher water before.
Oh, THAT stream. Jeebus.
"Doug's Nemesis Stream"
Sounds like there's a story there.
Literally fished it in a remnant of a hurricane.
Ben sux.
Quote from: Dougfish on October 15, 2019, 10:21:46 AMLiterally fished it in a remnant of a hurricane.
Ben sux.
Probably wouldn't be my first choice.
Quote from: Dougfish on October 15, 2019, 10:21:46 AMLiterally fished it in a remnant of a hurricane.
Ben sux.
Is there a report of this? Interesting....
Highlight pic. Kind of sums it up. 4 years ago.
I fished for about 2 hours out of a three day weekend.
2 second drifts, no fish harmed.
Lots of beer. A killer brisket. And the Vols lost to the Gators. Again.
(https://i.imgur.com/cXtXCQ9.jpg)
Quote from: Dougfish on October 15, 2019, 10:21:46 AMLiterally fished it in a remnant of a hurricane.
Ben sux.
Quote from: Dee-Vo on October 15, 2019, 12:33:19 PMQuote from: Dougfish on October 15, 2019, 10:21:46 AMLiterally fished it in a remnant of a hurricane.
Ben sux.
Is there a report of this? Interesting....
It would probably just be a montage of beer bottles and tomfoolery, high expectations and rueful disappointment.
Quote from: Dougfish on October 15, 2019, 14:06:05 PMHighlight pic. Kind of sums it up. 4 years ago.
I fished for about 2 hours out of a three day weekend.
2 second drifts, no fish harmed.
Lots of beer. A killer brisket. And the Vols lost to the Gators. Again.
(https://i.imgur.com/cXtXCQ9.jpg)
What ever happened to people posting reports here anyway? They must have all migrated over to the secret board.
(https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/3ef4b51f-0112-4dcd-bf3b-6491ebb99420_1.26199511e65f457dd5e46598345c2cb6.jpeg)
Half the board don't post TR's anymore since getting pissed off a few years back. A quarter of the board is too old to figure out how to upload pictures. The other quarter of the board who can figure out how to upload pictures all decided to have babies at the same time.
Quote from: The Dude on October 15, 2019, 14:13:40 PMThey must have all migrated over to the secret board.
I made an attempt to join, or "migrate", to the secret board, but was blackballed for failure to correctly recite the oath. I thought it was:
"Well dip me in honey and feed me to the lesbians!
Well, Roll me in batter and bake me for forty minutes!
Zeuses patchookas!
Well, Honk my hooter!"
I was incorrect, forever excluded, so I joined 'The Round Pegs in Square Holes' – great organization. Check them out.
Sorry for your TR getting high jacked, Mr. Crum.
Quote from: Big J on October 15, 2019, 15:03:16 PMHalf the board don't post TR's anymore since getting pissed off a few years back. A quarter of the board is too old to figure out how to upload pictures. The other quarter of the board who can figure out how to upload pictures all decided to have babies at the same time.
Hmmmm. It's always refreshing to read the respect given to your "elders." p;-
Quote from: Big J on October 15, 2019, 15:03:16 PMThe other quarter of the board who can figure out how to upload pictures all decided to have babies at the same time.
Nailed it.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: Phil on October 15, 2019, 17:57:54 PMQuote from: Big J on October 15, 2019, 15:03:16 PMHalf the board don't post TR's anymore since getting pissed off a few years back. A quarter of the board is too old to figure out how to upload pictures. The other quarter of the board who can figure out how to upload pictures all decided to have babies at the same time.
Hmmmm. It's always refreshing to read the respect given to your "elders." p;-
You are one of the few that can post a TR. and if you and Mudwall can figure out how to post pictures, I don't let the others slide for not being able to figure it out. Especially the fact Mudwall can post pictures. That man has been bamboozled more times by internet passwords and emails than any man alive. I wouldn't put it past him that he has sent Nigerian princes money and tried to chat with hot local singles. Like the Grove has hot local singles!
Quote from: The Dude on October 15, 2019, 08:02:34 AMQuote from: Dougfish on October 15, 2019, 07:57:59 AMQuote from: The Dude on October 15, 2019, 06:30:46 AMDoug, you may remember fishing the stream in this report on MUCH higher water before.
Oh, THAT stream. Jeebus.
"Doug's Nemesis Stream"
:laugh:
Doug still talks about me taking him there that day, and almost drowning everyone in our entire party.
Need another one of these. Sounds like it is time to air the grievances
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https://www.brfff.com/forum/index.php/topic,12049.210.html (https://www.brfff.com/forum/index.php/topic,12049.210.html)
Pictures start on page 15. Darn Photobucket got rid of half of them.
Quote from: Dougfish on October 15, 2019, 16:51:52 PMSorry for your TR getting high jacked, Mr. Crum.
I suppose I'm ok with it if it livens the place up a bit.
Damn! Somebody has actually posted three pages of content up in here!
My longest running TR yet! /"\
Quote from: hcrum87hc on October 16, 2019, 12:25:07 PMMy longest running TR yet! /"\
May as well keep it running.....
Who's fishing this weekend?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Not me. I won't be able to go again until next month.
Quote from: Big J on October 16, 2019, 09:24:33 AMhttps://www.brfff.com/forum/index.php/topic,12049.210.html (https://www.brfff.com/forum/index.php/topic,12049.210.html)
Pictures start on page 15. Darn Photobucket got rid of half of them.
Some of ya'll fuckers sure have aged a lot.
Quote from: benben reincarnated on October 16, 2019, 14:07:27 PMQuote from: Big J on October 16, 2019, 09:24:33 AMhttps://www.brfff.com/forum/index.php/topic,12049.210.html (https://www.brfff.com/forum/index.php/topic,12049.210.html)
Pictures start on page 15. Darn Photobucket got rid of half of them.
Some of ya'll fuckers sure have aged a lot.
Like fine wine?
OMG I forgot about this
Quote from: hcrum87hc on October 16, 2019, 12:25:07 PMMy longest running TR yet! /"\
https://youtu.be/0VkrUG3OrPc
Quote from: Beetle on October 16, 2019, 08:56:09 AMNeed another one of these. Sounds like it is time to air the grievances
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Must we do the fishing thing, or should we just simply eat, sit around and fart? I like naps.
Quote from: benben reincarnated on October 16, 2019, 14:07:27 PMQuote from: Big J on October 16, 2019, 09:24:33 AMhttps://www.brfff.com/forum/index.php/topic,12049.210.html (https://www.brfff.com/forum/index.php/topic,12049.210.html)
Pictures start on page 15. Darn Photobucket got rid of half of them.
Some of ya'll fuckers sure have aged a lot.
all decided to have babies at the same time.
"Must we do the fishing thing, or should we just simply eat, sit around and fart? I like naps."
I would pretend to fish. The "fishing trip" would just be a front for a major eating, drinking and farting operation.
I'd do that again. Within reason....
Would anyone prefer Mortimer over Grindstone?
Quote from: Onslow on October 20, 2019, 19:05:12 PMWould anyone prefer Mortimer over Grindstone?
Rock on.
Yes. If I remember, Mortimer is more private but man it's cold back in there!